TSMGI HELPS NASCAR BRING iRACING TO CHICAGO
In a unique opportunity, TSMGI is excited to work with NASCAR, iRacing, and the City of Chicago to create a virtual street course in Downtown Chicago.
Pegged as the fifth race in the 2021 iRacing Pro Invitation Series, NASCAR drivers will have the chance to drive down iconic streets like Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Ave ahead of a release to the public early this summer.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of such a unique opportunity,” says Jordan Bressler, President and CEO of TSMGI. “It’s something that has been in the works for a while and to see it come to life (virtually) is a great opportunity to showcase the city of Chicago to the world.”
Now throw your hands up in the sky. 🙌
The Chicago Street Course is coming to @iRacing and the #ProInvitationalSeries:
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 24, 2021
The partnership originally took shape last year following the success of the 2020 Pro Invitational Series that saw over 8 million viewers tune in during the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a unique opportunity to give NASCAR fans around the world a taste of Chicago, TSMGI worked with NASCAR, iRacing, and the City of Chicago to bring the concept to life. In October, TSMGI helped coordinate the street scanning with the help of city officials and the virtual buildout took shape from there.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven down Lake Shore Drive and looked at the skyline and thought, ‘how lucky am I to live in such a great city?’,” says Bressler. “Now, thanks to our partnership with NASCAR, iRacing, and the City of Chicago, not only will people be able to experience that same vantage point, but they’ll be doing it at 120+ mph!”
Windy city, windy roads. 💨
Take a hot lap around the virtual Chicago Street Course!
#NASCARStreetCHI | @iRacing pic.twitter.com/QNpzTrMobp
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 24, 2021
While iRacing has created virtual versions of the streets of Long Beach, California, and the Belle Isle circuit in Detroit, Chicago represents iRacing’s first street-course project based on a real-world location that’s yet to be raced on in real life.
Bressler adds, “The whole thing has been an exciting project for us to work on. Especially given everything that has happened over the past year, we’re proud to be a part of bringing back some energy to the city.”
The Chicago Street Circuit isn’t TSMGI first foray into esports. Over the past few years, TSMGI has helped multiple clients, including Valvoline and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, activate in the space.
“Esports is an emerging market that we know provides great opportunities for our clients,” says Tom Crawford, TSMGI’s Vice President and General Manager. “To be able to work with NASCAR and iRacing and continue to showcase our expertise in the space is a great opportunity.”
As part of the iRacing Pro Invitational Series, NASCAR drivers will put the Chicago Street Circuit to the test live on FS1 on June 2nd.
For more information on the course and series, visit NASCAR.com and FOX Sports.